AIDS Walk preps Hope Harris Award

The AIDS Walk RI, taking place Sept. 13, will recognize a person or organization dedicated to the fight against HIV and AIDS with the first annual Hope Harris Award.
The award is named for the late Hope Harris, who was a member of the AIDS Project Rhode Island board for the last part of her life. She was also a longtime receptionist for the late Sen. John Chafee and also served former Gov. Lincoln Chafee when he was a senator.
“Shortly before our mother passed away from cancer 11 years ago, she cleaned out some of her belongings to sell them off at her yard sale to benefit AIDS Project Rhode Island,” said her son, Michael Reis of Providence. “The monies raised she gave to support the programs and services of the project. While battling cancer this gave her the opportunity to simplify her life and give to the organization she worked with for many years.”
AIDS Project Rhode Island Executive Director Stephen Hourahan said Harris had a “huge heart.”
“Hope was a leader in efforts to outreach to the African American community and to fight the stigma around HIV/AIDS,” he said.
The award winner will be announced shortly after 12:30 p.m. the day of the walk, he said.
AIDS Walk RI, sponsored for the first time by two AIDS service organizations, AIDS Project Rhode Island and AIDS Care Ocean State, includes an approximate two mile route that starts and ends at the Rhode Island State House lawn facing downtown Providence.
The 2015 AIDS Walk RI theme is “Keeping Hope Alive.”
“It’s more than a coincidence that we came up with that theme,” said AIDS Care Ocean State Executive Director Paul Fitzgerald. “It captures what the event is all about and is a way to remember and honor Hope Harris.”
Registration starts at noon, and is also available on-line at www.firstgiving.com.
Free, anonymous HIV testing will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Providence Gay Men’s Chorus will perform, the AIDS Quilt will be displayed, and there will be free food and activities.

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